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July 15, 1905.]
BEYOND CRITICISM."
The Japan Chronicle of June 28th says:— Merchants in Japan again have reason to com- plain of the way in which the mails from abroad destined for this country are held up" by the Post Office at Hongkong. The Australian mail for Japan arriving at Hongkong by the N.D. L. steamer Prinz Waldemar on the 19th instant was tak n ashore there with he mils for China. The Post Office was notified that the steamer would leave port within twenty-four hours, yet she was allowed to depart without any of the Australian mail she carried for Japan, although the mail from England «as placed on board. The result of this is that merchauts who Australia had cargo consigned to them from by the Prinz Waldemar are unable to obtain delivery because the mail containing the bills of lading and shipping documents has not yet arrived. Should the mail not reach Japin within the next day or two, consignees will be unable to get their documents presented at the Customs before the 30th instant, and it is thus probable that cargo which would have been lauded under the old (ustoms Tariff will have to pay the increased duties which take effect from the 1st proximo. Complaints have fre- quently been made to the Post Office at Hong- kong regarding the way the mails in transit are detained, but the Post Office there is apparently beyond the reach of criticism, and continues to display the most extraordinary lack of judg. ment, to say nothing of common sense,
Next day, the following letter appeared:- Sir, I note by to-day's Chronicle that further delays to the Australian mails have taken place at the Hongkong post office. I am taking the matter up with the Hongkong Government, and trust it will be the means of avoiding similar delays in future.-Yours truly, J. B. Sutior,
Commercial Representative of N.S.W. Government.
The Hongkong Post Office is not quite beyond the reach of oriticism." A little while ago, when we called attention to the mysterious disappearance of letters entrusted to the local office for local delivery, an official notice was at once posted, advising the public that unless they enclose the envelope or wrapper'
with their complaints, it was not easy to investigate. It is not any easier to send the envelope or wrapper of a letter that never turns up.
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A FRENCH CARGO STEAMER.
For some time a conspicuous feature in the river landscape at Shanghai has been the steamer El Kantara swinging at the Messageries Waritimes buoy. The El Kantara is one of six large cargo steamers, recently constructed by the company for the Far Eastern service and this is her first call at Shanghai, where she remains on this occasion rather more than a
fortnight. A representative of the N C Daily News sampanned out to the vessel and was hospitably received on board by Capt. Lewcunier and his officers, and shown round, on July 6th.
Built primarily for cargo, the El Kantara
has a measurement of 10,350 cub. metres, or will carry 7,500 tons D. W. For purposes of handling it, the vessel carries twenty-three steam winches, one of which is capable of lifting *35 tons. The steamer is propelled by two triple expansion, surface condensing engines, and her ordinary speed is ten knots, while she can make thirteen knots if necessary. Like all the vessels of the line, the El Kantara was built at the company's own yards at La Ciotat.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
JAPANESE COTTON MILLERS AT NINGPO.
Writing on the 26th June, the Niugpo corres pondent of the N. C. Daily News. 8178:-- contract was signed last wk which will have an important effect upon the future of this port. | Ningpo has had a cotton mill for over ten years, which, unlike many of the Shanghai mills, has fully justified the enterprise of its Chinese company. Combined with this cotton mill- that is, in the same grounds and under the same company-a four mill has been erected, and is now making a bid for success,
Last week, the contract for another cotton mill was signed, the mill to be erected within twelve months.
The site of the mill is situated on the right back of the river, opposite the British Consulate. The capital of the company will be $800,000. Of this amount, one-fourth will be Japanese- wned, and the remainder will be provided by Chinese. A Japanese engineer and architect will superintend the erection of the mill, the contractors being Ningpo and Shaughai firms--- Chinese the heads of the firms being Ningpo
meu.
From the plans of the buildings, it is safe to assert that the mill will not prove an eyesore to the Settlement. A feature of the new mill will
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THE CHINESE· “WHO'S WHO?”
We have received from Mossrs. Kally & Walsh a book which is fully sutitled to the description surgestel in the above heading. It is, however, officially styled List of the Higher Metropolitan and Provincial Authorities of China." It includes a genealogical table of the Imperial Family; and was compiled by the Chinese secretaries, H.B.M. Legation, Peking, and corrected to May 31st, 1905, by Mr. S. F. Mayers, Assistant Chinese Secretary. The English renderings of the names are alpha- betically arranged, followed, in parallel columns by the Chinese names, the province, the degree or office, and then the biographical data.
AN UNCHARTED ROCK OFF NAMOA ISLAND.
A hydrographical note received by the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce describes an uncharted rock discovered by H.M.S. Waterwitch. It is at 23.26 North Lat. and 117.19 East Long., eastward of Namos Island, S.E. China. There is 23 feet of water over it at low water; and depths of eight and ten From the rock Lamook fathoms close around. Island High Light bears S. 7 deg. W.; centre of Dome Island bears §. 65 deg. W.dist.11-1/10; and North Point Namos Island bears N. 73 deg. W. The rock is marked by “tide rips " during the Your corrospondent asked one of the contrac-strength of tide. The position as given must tors the questions-"How about Fungshui ? not be approached within half a mile, the Won't the people object ?" The reply was existing chart (No. 1957; being incorrect as ather significant, for it was both brief and to regards the points mentioned. Note: Bear. the point Oh the Japanese are interested
ings magnetic. in the building." At the present time auch a reply must be taken as final. It certainly left your correspondent dumb.
be its high chimney, which will be 40.ft. higher than the city pagods.
Rumour says that still another cotton mill will be erected in the near future in this port. It may be that Ningpo will teach Shanghai how dividends may be earned in this branch of commercial enterprise.
THE SHANGHAI COTTON MILLS.
JAPANESE ENTERPRISE-A MERGER
PROPOSITION.
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There is a rumour in Hongkong financial circles this week of a rather startling develop ment at Shanghai.
It is to the effect that a Japanese syndicate is beginning negotiations for the acquirement of all the cotton mills at Shanghai.
While it is not clear how the thing is to be due, by direct purchase, or by gradually acquiring a controlling quantity of stock, the rumour is received seriously by many interested.
It is understood that one well-known firm will not listen to any proposals to sell; but it is pointer out that they would be helpless if all the others were in Japanese hands.
The Japanese already own at least one of the Shanghai mills, and while the others were pay. ing no dividends, the Japanese directors managed to pay ten per cent. and to set aside fifteen per cent.
The Hongkong mill was not mentioned; but it will no doubt be sought after if all the others are acquired.
H. & S. BANK SUED
The Maila Cablenews reports as follow Francisco Reyes has brought suit against the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation for $38,000 damages which, as the complainant alleges, the corporation refused to allow him to make use of in meeting certain drafts on Spain. The case is full of interest to the business world and the importance attached to it is evidenced by the fact that the assistant chief manager of the concern paid a visit to Manila some time ago, in connection with the case. Señor Sierra, attorney for Francisco Reyes, has just returned from a visit to Hongkong with reference to the Plaintiff prays for the payment of the above named sum, the payment of legal interest relief as to the court may seem just and equit
THE HANKOW-CANTON RAILWAY.
The Chinese appear to have quite made up their minds to construct the Hankow-Canton railway themselves, and as one means to that end Tuan Fang, Governor of Honan, together with Viceroys Chang Chi-tung and Tsen Chun-bsuan, have memorialized the Throne for permission to establish a railway lottery on the lines of the Hankow Lottery, the profits to be devoted to the expenses of the line. In addition to the ordinary prizes, it is proposed that a certain percentage of the tickets shall be exchangeable for shares after the railway is built, which will be a great inducement to the public to procure and hold as many as possible. It is now stated that the scheme has been sanctioned by the Thron'.
THE CHINESE DEMAND FOR A PARLIAMENT.
One of the Chinese Ministers stationed abroad who keeps himself in touch with Chinese students studying in various countries, having it brought
home to him that when these students return to China there will be an agitation for a Parlia
ment, has taken time by the forelock by writing to Prince Ching and suggesting that his High- Dess should anticipate matters by advising the Throne to grant a Parliament to the country. The question was accordingly first referred to Viceroys Yuan Shih-k'ai, Chang Chih-tung, and Tsen Chun-hauen, these three being con- sidered the most enlightened of the high officers of the Crown in the provinces, for their views on the matter. Their joint reply appears to be most sensible, and under the circumstanc08 the best that can be done for Chins just now.
It was that, as the country is not prepared for a Parliament, the best way to educate the people up to the point required would be for each pro- vince to have an assembly consisting of members of the gentry and men of ability and means selected by the various cities and townships to represent them at their provincial capital. The duty of these representatives will be to consider concerning provincial public works, educational institutions and the like, and to advise the Governor, or Provincial Treasurer, on them. After sufficient experience and insight inte such yublic questions have been gained, then, and not till then, can a Parliament in the broader sense be granted, otherwise nothing but confusion and anarchy will ensue and the
Accommodation is provided on board for 42 first-class passengers, who are caried at fares equivalent to those charged second-class on the r insry mail steamers. There are single and dubie cabins, cmfortably but not ostentatiously fitted, and a large, but rather low pitched diuing aloon. Fifty-two passengers can also be carried at equival. nt to third-class fares. On the lower decks there is airy accommodation for 2,000 || affair troops in eight lar.e compartments. Adequate hospital berthing is provided both for troops and other passengers. The non-commissioned on the same, the cost of the suit, and such other | best efforts of those desiring the progress of officers have suitable accommodation in the
størn.
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their country, be brought to naught.-V.-C. Daily News.